Messages from the President & CEO

Hillside is a part of the communities we serve. Through the services we provide, youth and families are empowered to achieve the stronger futures they deserve. Their successes benefit us all—which makes community partnerships particularly invaluable in helping our programs do even more for those in need.

Our current focus on digital equity is an excellent example of a serious community challenge that requires our attention—and we can’t do it alone.

Among its many impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic made the longstanding issue of digital inequity much worse for students and families across the country and close to home. In Syracuse, for instance, nearly a quarter of residents have no dependable Internet access—compromising their ability to complete schoolwork, apply for jobs, and advance professionally in a world increasingly defined by digital standards. (For more background, please read this article from Hillside’s most recent Impact Report.)

In the regions we serve, students in our Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program have been among the hardest-hit by this issue. The situation for our HWSC students has started to change through an ongoing philanthropic appeal, and thanks to donors in Syracuse and Rochester including Northwestern Mutual, the Paychex Charitable Foundation, the Central New York Community Foundation, The Green Family Foundation and Berkshire Bank Foundation. These donations will help increase digital capacity for the young people in our programs—supporting their ability to engage online in ways that help them succeed today and prepare for tomorrow.

The entire Hillside family is grateful to our lead donors in this effort, but more support is needed. With increased digital access, young people and families will be better able to achieve academic and professional success. But first, they need help from us—from all of us.

Supporting Hillside represents an investment in our community. I hope you’ll consider making a gift to Hillside today, and becoming a partner in our work.

As always, thank you for your commitment to Hillside’s mission!

Maria Cristalli
President & CEO

The children who attend Hillside’s schools at our residential campuses and Day Treatment programs share the same hopes and dreams as students in any public or private school—and in many cases, their challenges are similar as well. For example, too few children today have an innate love of reading—the kind of passion that can open doors, in academics and beyond.

That’s why we’re excited to launch Hillside Reads, a new literacy initiative that aims to help the children in our care discover their own love of reading. Beginning this month, our Education teams will be creating special events and activities on an ongoing basis in an agency-wide effort to encourage our students to embrace reading in all its forms—in and out of the classroom.

So many positive life outcomes can be traced back to the simple but elusive gift of literacy, and every child deserves every opportunity to build that skill. In the weeks and months to come, we’ll share examples of Hillside Reads initiatives on this website and in social media—and we’ll have ways for you to get involved, as well.

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February is Black History Month, an annual time of commemoration and celebration—and an important opportunity to learn more about Black history. Our DE&I page has some details about how Hillside is embracing this special month, and I hope you’re doing the same in your home and community. As I mentioned in a message to Hillside staff, we all benefit from living in a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.

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Thank you as always for your interest in our mission—this month and every month, community support keeps Hillside strong!

Maria Cristalli
President & CEO

As we close Hillside’s 185th year of service, I couldn’t be more proud of our history—and I’m equally excited about our future. There’s so much happening at our agency, and I’m pleased to announce a new podcast that will offer a regular glimpse into our people, our work, and our impact.

Each month, Conversations with the CEO will showcase the unique perspectives of our staff, community partners and the youth and families we serve. You’ll find a dedicated link to the podcast at the top of this page.

The conversations have already been fascinating. For our inaugural episode, I was honored to be joined by members of our Board of Governors for a look back at Hillside’s founding in 1837, and the many ways in which our mission and commitment have evolved since then. Next, I talked with two long-serving Hillside employees about how they’re living our values in their everyday work.

Future episodes will explore different aspects of the Hillside community—and as you’re an important part of that community, I hope you’ll check in each month and join the conversation.

On behalf of all of us at Hillside—from our family to yours—please accept my best wishes for a safe, healthy and joyous holiday season. Thank you as always for your shared commitment to our mission: your support keeps Hillside Strong, every day!

See you in 2023,

Maria Cristalli
President and CEO
Hillside

The holiday season is a time of traditions, and at Hillside we have a particularly heartwarming tradition to share. For more than 40 years, our Special Santa program has brought toys and gifts to thousands of children and families served by Hillside—and each year, your generosity makes this special program a success.

Like everything we do at Hillside, Special Santa has evolved over the years—but our need for community support is unchanging. This year, there are more ways than ever for you to be a Special Santa:

• You can shop online at Hillside’s AmazonSmile Charity Page, with individual gifts sent directly to our programs for delivery to children in December.
• You can shop local, and bring new and unwrapped gifts to any of the dozens of community partner locations who share our enthusiasm for this annual cause.
• You can easily make an online donation that directly supports Special Santa, and allows this wonderful program to keep making a difference to so many young people.

Our Special Santa page includes all the details you need to pursue any of the above options. No matter what path you choose, you’ll be making a wonderful difference in the holidays for children in need.

I hope you’ll join us before December 11 in bringing smiles to the faces of the youth and families we serve. During the Special Santa season and all year long, your support keeps Hillside Strong!

Thank you,

Maria Cristalli
President and CEO
Hillside

Recently, I was excited to announce that Hillside would raise our minimum wage to $17 per hour for all positions in our agency. This change comes after an increase to $15/hour last year, and we’re committed to more increases in the future. It’s critical that our people receive the compensation they deserve for work that means so much to thousands of youth and families every year.

With that in mind, I hope you’ll consider joining the Hillside family in a position that fits your skills and interests—and please encourage your friends and family members to do the same. The increased compensation packages mean that there’s never been a better time to become a Hillside employee—but it’s also true that our mission has never been more important in the communities we serve.

Even before COVID-19, children and families were in vital need of the social, behavioral and educational supports that Hillside provides. We know that the pandemic has only increased the need for those services, and that Hillside is uniquely prepared to meet those needs.

Becoming a member of the Hillside team helps you build a meaningful career and allows you to make a powerful difference in your community.

However you choose to support our agency’s mission, thank you!

Maria Cristalli
President & CEO
Hillside